Wednesday, April 09, 2014

I preach to my kids all the time that nobody knows it all: there is always something new to learn.

And I tell them that even at my age (and even being their dad) that there are still things in life I can learn.

I tell them you should never stop learning. I tell them you will always and forever be a student of life.

Several years ago, I decided I wanted to learn more about my surroundings. I grew frustrated that people could easily identify Adidas shoes or a Corvette but don't have a clue as to what bird is singing or what type of tree they hang their hammock on.

So I bought National Audubon Field Guides to birds and trees. Trees it turns out can be tricky to ID because there's blossoms, bark and leaves to take into consideration.

Living in North Carolina, there plenty of trees. Especially pine. Hence the name tarheel.

But the eastern redbud always stands out to me. It's the tree for me that signifies spring has officially sprung. And it is also a reminder of my ties to be being raised Catholic. You see, it is also known as the Judas tree because, as the story goes, it is the tree he hung himself in after selling Jesus out. Its flowers are also said to be imprinted on the Shroud of Turin, which, in turn, gives a seasonal time to Jesus' death.

Ever since I read that little bit of info, I have always noticed that the eastern redbud tends to bloom right around the time of Easter regardless of when Easter falls on the calendar. And I always make a mental note of it.

Until this year.

The trees are in full bloom right now.

Yet Easter is almost two weeks away.

What does this mean? I have no answer. Global warming? Religion is a farce? A cooling sun?

But I do know one thing it means and that is that change is in the air...

Monday, March 10, 2014

The concept, in its second year, is to pair the area's craft beer scene with our locally acclaimed culinary world. It's a match made in heaven and one brought to fruition by DPAC, Tyler's Taproom and Sam's Quik Shop.

Some of my favorite pairings was Saltbox Seafood's spicy mussels dish with Founders Brewing Co.'s All Day IPA.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

my 10-year-old son wrote this poem in class based off of a poem called "Identity" by Julio Noboa Polanco...

Let them be as poodles,
Always pampered, cared, loved, admired,
But harnessed to a rich lifestyle.

I'd rather be a wild, dangerous wolf,
Howling at the moon like a warrior
Yelling his battle cry in war.

To have broken through the
Cages of humans, to live, to feel
Free of the open wild in nature.
To be swayed by the scent of carcasses
Carrying my soul, my legacy,
Running through the woods of time
or into the wilderness of the bizarre.

I'd rather be unseen and
If then be hunted by everyone
Than to be a small helpless dog,
Being dyed a different color every day.
Where they're raised, pampered, and decorated
By wealthy human hands.

I'd rather smell of bloody rotten stench
than of sweet, dainty dog.
If I could stand alone, strong and free
I'd rather be wild, dangerous wolf.